DGT Centaur Or SmartBoard Questions

I’m on the fence which of these I want. Appreciate your reviews and answers. I’m very new to chess, been playing the beginner computers on the chessdotcom app, everyone recommends I play humans. I’ve played 7 human games lost 5, need more practice, but have beat all the beginners computer bots both as white and black. The Centaur appeals to me because it would allow me to practice on a board that supposedly will match your skill. With great reviews. Everyone recommends I play humans, so my question is this just the same ol playing computers like I do on the app or is it more human like, and why? Re: the DGT smartboard since it connects to chessdotcom I know I can connect it to my laptop and play other humans, but what about playing against a computer/engine that matches my level like the centaur? Since I’m a beginner I won’t always want to play humans on timed games, but ideally want the opportunity should I choose. I’m not interested in buying a separate computer DGT PI to connect to the board. I’m an IT guy and would rather use my laptop. Is there such a thing of a board that would connect to my phone for practice and or live play? Appreciate any answers or recommendations.

I'd like to know this same thing.  I saw the Square Off board on some entertainment segment on the news, and that seemed to be a great way to play 'computer games' while still using real pieces.  But it took some YouTube searching to realize some of these computer boards only light up squares for moves instead of moving pieces!  That helps explain some of the price differences, I guess. 

But in reading the descriptions on the various retailer sites, it doesn't describe them adequately enough for me to purchase.  That's why I'm doing all of this forum searching! I regularly get beat by my 9yo, so I'd like to find a board that will let me learn with adaptive playing as well as have the ability to play against other players.  If I'm going to spend 3 digits on another set, I think I'd rather go this route than to get some fancy pieces to show off.  I'd like to get there, but this technology is so appealing!

The Certabo board can connect to an Android phone for online and engine play, as well as to your laptop.

Oh, that's cool - I haven't heard of that one!  I'm not in a rush to buy any of these, but I am interested.  Looks like there are several good choices...

Well, of course you don't need these things. But then again, you also do not need Chess.com. In fact, you do not even need to play chess in the first place.

These things can be fun, however. So it is up to OP to make his personal judgement whether the amount of fun he expects from these devices is high enough for the amount of money they cost. Only OP can make that decision, but he will need advice in the form of (a) objective information on the devices (e.g. which use cases are the devices suitable for?) and (b) experiences from other people that own these devices (e.g. do you still use them regularly or are they gathering dust?).

For random people to tell him "You don't need it!" or "It is a waste of money" doesn't really seem helpful to me. I believe there are plenty of people that own a Centaur, Certabo or DGT e-board that enjoy these pieces of hardware very much.

Ha - you are probably both right.  I don't need any of this - but I would like to get something like this one day.  But it sounds like for the short term, I'm better off continuing with my chess.com lessons.  If these products need another generation to be worthwhile, then maybe that's what I should aim for in the future.  Beating my kid should be the priority now, right? 

I think you need to determine what your goals are. Are you interested in playing OTB (over the board) chess once this COVID19 is over? If so, then the DGT e-boards are good to have because of the chess vision (i.e. you need to be used to seeing actual pieces). If not, then playing on the computer screen is good enough.

If you are interested in OTB, then I'd recommend getting the regular DGT e-board because it can interface with a computer allowing you to use different chess engines. And you can play against other humans and retain a record of the games for later analysis. BTW, get the Bluetooth version; it has a build-in battery to allow you to take the board and play anywhere.

@wolfkj as an avid owner of multiple smart boards (i use them to run live league match broadcasts from our chess club)  the DGT boards whether you choose the smart board or a USB or indeed a bluetooth board, all have the same thing in common, and that is they can not only be used on chess.com and lichess.org  but you also get free copy of deep fritz 14 with an active serial code.  not only does this entitle you to 6 months free on playchess.com but it also allows you to activate and use the chess program.  why you might ask is this relevant ??  well on all fritz programs you have the ability to play against computers altering the strength and style of play of the computer to your desired needs, not only do you get a competitive game but your also playing with the DGT connected to the program aswell meaning you get to see the game as if you were playing at your local chess club.

Those are just stickers. The piece recognition are coils that make up the cores of each piece. Losing the small circle stickers on the felts shouldn’t affect the functionality of the DGT pieces. 

I agree with you. I waited and waited for DGT to release a Smartboard with LEDs and it never happened. I don't like to play with sound on (for move announcements) and the idea of having to look at the screen or clock to know when the computer makes a move seems, to me, to defeat the point. That's why I ended up going with Certabo. Still a full sized wooden board (they do smaller models too) but with LEDs.

Hi,

Me too as a beginner  am debating what to buy and honestly the above answer does not help at all.
I have been on the monitor but with the time I get tired and think that it is better to alternate between a board with real figures and the monitor.

Also when I get tired of being in the house it would be nice to be able to sit in the garden under the roof of the pergola in the fresh air. Having a DGT PI or maybe a Centaur board one can play against the computer and get used to real figures.
So, alternating the place where to play is a nice thing.

I would understand the $$$$$$$$$  would be money of theendgame3 ... and as it is not his money .. Why does he care ? ...

There are many ways to learn to play chess ... and not just on the monitor because nowadays we have it ... and everybody can have different habits of how to learn something ...

In the next days I will order a DGT board and the DGT PI with my $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ unless theendgame3 has a valid, for me, objection why I should not spend my money on a board and use it where ever I want ...

Greetings from the New World across the pond ...

Guess , You can always join the local chess club ? after the pandemic   if DGT is not for you ? or sell it on ebay to get your $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ back

I bought a DGT Bluetooth board, and the BT doesn't always work... so I keep it connected with USB.  I did not buy a DGT Pi because it's really just a DGT 3000 clock sitting on top of a Raspberry Pi that is running a program called PicoChess.  I would have purchased it - but I already own a 3000 and a Raspberry Pi, so I decided to figure out how to get that to work.  (Well, I'm still figuring it out, but I have been able to connect it and play a game.)

So if I were you @RainerOR14, I wouldn't go the route I did if you wanted to take it out in the garden and play.  The DGT board is big - about 21 inches wide and the same tall.  It's also heavy. It's a nice big board to play on, but it would be tough to carry that outside, along with the pieces, a DGT Pi (or 3000 and Rasp Pi), a speaker, and the wires.  If you had a table and could make multiple trips you certainly could do it... but the point I am making is that I would not call this setup 'portable' in the sense that you could quickly pop outside and play like you would if it all easily sat in your lap.  

But if I misunderstand what you mean and you are OK with carrying it all outside, then this is a great way to go.  I had been looking for Picochess and a DGT 3000 on Youtube and in Google results, and most stories are about creating a custom cable to connect the 3000 to a Rasp Pi and then playing, but I didn't want to start there.  I found the PicoChess Google Group, and they have been helpful.  There are advantages to the custom cable, but you can connect the board, clock, and Pi together with the included cables and play just fine.

When I play a physical game, the speaker will say "That is a BLUNDER!  Check your move..."  Then it tells me where the threat is.  I will honestly get that on over half of my moves in a game! But, that is why I spent the money. I don't recognize the threats very well.  As mentioned earlier I did not NEED this at all - but I found a BT board on the House of Staunton outlet page and was able to jump on it.  It is an investment, but it does work just as I had hoped!

Hi Shutrbug,

On January st you were still debating if you buy one and now five and a half weeks later you have one :-) this is by no means a negative comment from my side but thank you for your input.
According to DGT the full set weighs including cables about 10 pounds. for me that is not heavy. Also it comes with a carrying bag holding everything. So that is for me no reason not to get a DGT board.

From your comment ¿ I deduct that you are happy with it ?

Rainer

Hi sound67,

Looks more or less the right way to go.
Yes, that strange function of USB Power management in Windows 10 is more a nuisance rather then a help.

Recht herzlichen Dank und Grüße

Rainer aus Mexiko

Why do people feel the need to tell people how to spend their money? or what they don't need? idk anyway...

I own the DGT Bluetooth e board and my favorite way to use it is with Fritz 17 and Chessbase. you can use it to play Fritz and any other engine, you can set up positions, analyze . with the Bluetooth version you can connect to the DGT PI  via Bluetooth and the laptop via usb and use both simultaneously.

Chess for andriod is an AWESOME app it sets up in seconds and works seamlessly with the DGT board you can do a lot with that app as well, including play different engines. 

I love my DGT e board, I think its the coolest thing since the electric guitar. 

Because as self appointed chess authorities, it is their duty to tell us what is best!